Bald Eagle . Goldstream Park . Vancouver Island
The Goldstream Estuary has become a favourite winter dining spot for Bald eagles. They flock to these feeding grounds to feast on the high-protein chum salmon carcasses - all that remains of the salmon run. Recently Bald eagles have been returning to the estuary in greater numbers, now that the estuary has been closed to public access.
In the winter of 1990-1991, a quiet zone was created on the lower stretch of the Goldstream River. This Quiet Zone resulted in increasing numbers of Bald Eagles. Four years later, in the fall of 1994, a Black Bear entered the estuary to feed on the salmon. Rather than removing the Black Bear, the estuary was closed off to the public for the duration of the salmon run.
The absence of people in the area also provided eagles with a space to feed without human interruption. Since closing off the estuary, the number of eagles feeding on the salmon carcasses has risen from a yearly high of 12 to one of more than 200.
www.flickr.com/groups/impressionists/discuss/721576930053...
TMI - January 2018 contest - Winter Branches
Bald Eagle . Goldstream Park . Vancouver Island
The Goldstream Estuary has become a favourite winter dining spot for Bald eagles. They flock to these feeding grounds to feast on the high-protein chum salmon carcasses - all that remains of the salmon run. Recently Bald eagles have been returning to the estuary in greater numbers, now that the estuary has been closed to public access.
In the winter of 1990-1991, a quiet zone was created on the lower stretch of the Goldstream River. This Quiet Zone resulted in increasing numbers of Bald Eagles. Four years later, in the fall of 1994, a Black Bear entered the estuary to feed on the salmon. Rather than removing the Black Bear, the estuary was closed off to the public for the duration of the salmon run.
The absence of people in the area also provided eagles with a space to feed without human interruption. Since closing off the estuary, the number of eagles feeding on the salmon carcasses has risen from a yearly high of 12 to one of more than 200.
www.flickr.com/groups/impressionists/discuss/721576930053...
TMI - January 2018 contest - Winter Branches